Watkins approves Harbor Hotel's preliminary site plan

WATKINS GLEN—With little discussion, the Watkins Glen planning board approved the preliminary site plan for the Harbor Hotel’s spa expansion, Wednesday, July 16.
The board also did a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) part two, which is required by the state. The SEQR is used to see if there will be any impacts on a number of area, including the environment, traffic, aesthetics, and growth because of work.
Board President, Joe Fazzary said there is not much more room for growth in the area of expansion. Concerning historical aspects of the project, board member Tom Fitzgerald said the expansion does good work on preserving the look of Seneca Market Building. The board gave a negative SEQR, meaning there are no harmful impacts on combining the Seneca Market Building on Franklin Street to the Harbor Hotel.
Over all, the board had no concerns about the project. Fazzary said anything to do with sign lighting would be handled down the road by Gordon Wright, code enforcement officer.
The board was able to vote on the preliminary plan after the village zoning board of appeals granted the Harbor Hotel a setback variance for the expansion, July 2.
Fazzary said the next step is to hold a public hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. After considering written and oral comments by residents, the board’s next step will be to vote on the final site plan.